Method and apparatus for configuring and selectively sensing use of a device

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for subdividing a touch-sensitive interface of a mouse accessory into a first plurality of sectors for defining a first plurality of mouse buttons, where each sector of the first plurality of sectors corresponds to a distinct mouse button. The method can further include receiving a first signal from the touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory, detecting, from the first signal a selection of a sector of the first plurality of sectors, and generating a second signal indicating the selection of the sector. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/046,006 filed on Jul. 26, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/861,395 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,061,405)filed on Jan. 3, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/594,952 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,891,721) filed onMay 15, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/712,221 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,684,396) filed on Dec. 12, 2012. Thecontents of each of the foregoing is/are hereby incorporated byreference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus forconfiguring and selectively sensing use of a device.

It is common today for gamers to utilize more than one gaming accessory.This is especially true of gamers who play on-line games or competitivegames in a team or individual configuration. Gamers can have at theirdisposal accessories such as a keyboard, a general purpose gaming pad, amouse, a gaming console controller, a mobile phone with a built-inmicrophone to communicate with other players, a joystick, a computerconsole, or other common gaming accessories.

A gamer can frequently use a combination of these accessories in onegame (e.g., headset, a keyboard, and mouse). Efficient management andutilization of these accessories can frequently impact a gamer's abilityto compete.

Accessory management can have utility in other disciplines which may notrelate to gaming applications. Efficient use of accessories in theseother disciplines can be important to other users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a first illustrative embodiment of a Graphical UserInterface (GUI) generated by an Accessory Management Software (AMS)application according to the subject disclosure;

FIG. 1B depicts a second illustrative embodiment of a GUI generated bythe AMS application according to the subject disclosure;

FIG. 2A depicts a first illustrative embodiment of a computer mouseincluding a touch-sensitive interface;

FIG. 2B depicts a second illustrative embodiment of a computer mouseincluding a touch-sensitive interface;

FIG. 2C depicts a third illustrative embodiment of a computer mouseincluding a touch-sensitive interface;

FIG. 2D depicts a fourth illustrative embodiment of a computer mouseincluding a touch-sensitive interface;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a touch-sensitive displayconfigured as a computer mouse;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device;

FIG. 5A depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first method utilized inthe subject disclosure;

FIG. 5B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a second method utilizedin the subject disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a third method utilized inthe subject disclosure;

FIG. 7A depicts an illustrative embodiment of a fourth method utilizedin the subject disclosure;

FIG. 7B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a fifth method utilized inthe subject disclosure; and

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for configuring buttons on a device such as a computermouse. Other embodiments are contemplated by the subject disclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer mouseincluding a touch-sensitive interface, a memory to store instructions,and a processor coupled to the touch-sensitive interface and the memory.Responsive to executing the instructions, the processor can performoperations including subdividing the touch-sensitive interface into afirst plurality of sectors for defining a first plurality of mousebuttons, where each sector of the first plurality of sectors correspondsto a distinct mouse button, receiving a first signal from thetouch-sensitive interface, detecting from the first signal a selectionof a sector of the first plurality of sectors, and transmitting to acomputing device a second signal indicating the selection of the sector.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer-readablestorage medium having computer instructions which when executed by aprocessor cause the processor to perform operations includingsubdividing a touch-sensitive interface of a mouse accessory into afirst plurality of sectors for defining a first plurality of mousebuttons, where each sector of the first plurality of sectors correspondsto a distinct mouse button, receiving a first signal from thetouch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory, detecting from thefirst signal a selection of a sector of the first plurality of sectors,and transmitting a second signal indicating the selection of the sector.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method forsubdividing a touch-sensitive interface of a mouse accessory into afirst plurality of sectors for defining a first plurality of mousebuttons, where each sector of the first plurality of sectors correspondsto a distinct mouse button. The method can further include receiving afirst signal from the touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory,detecting, from the first signal a selection of a sector of the firstplurality of sectors, and generating a second signal indicating theselection of the sector.

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of a Graphical User Interface(GUI) generated by an Accessory Management Software (AMS) applicationaccording to the subject disclosure. The AMS application can be executedby a computing device such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, aserver, a mainframe computer, a gaming console, a gaming accessory, orportions of the AMS applications can be executed by combinations ofthese computing devices. The AMS application can also be executed byportable computing devices such as a cellular phone, a personal digitalassistant, a smartphone, a tablet, or a media player. Other devices withsuitable computing resources can be used. The AMS application can beused for configuring accessories such as computer mice, gamingcontrollers, or other devices, and for substituting stimuli generated bythese devices as will be described by the methods of FIGS. 5A-5B, 6 and7A-7B.

FIG. 2A depicts a first illustrative embodiment of a computer mouse 172including a touch-sensitive interface 202. The computer mouse 172 cancomprise two mechanically depressible buttons 203 and 205. Depression ofthe left or the right mechanical buttons 203, 205 can be detected by amicro switch 204 as shown in a side view of the computer mouse 172. Theleft mechanical button 203 can also include on a top surface havingthree electrically isolated capacitive sensors 212, 214, and 216 forsensing touch by a user's finger. Each of the electrically isolatedcapacitive sensors 212, 214, and 216 can be mapped into three distinctsectors that can be treated as three distinct touch-sensitive mousebuttons. The left mechanical button 203 can thus be treated as threemouse buttons 212, 214, 216 detectable by the position of the user'sfinger.

If a user places a finger on button 212 and depresses the leftmechanical button 203 while maintaining his/her finger at button 212,the micro switch 204 will generate an actuation signal, while thecapacitive sensor will generate another signal associated with sector212 indicating that the user's finger is at the mouse button associatedwith this sector. The combined signal can be transmitted over a cable(e.g., USB cable) or a wireless interface to a computer (not shown)communicatively coupled to the computer mouse 172. Alternatively, thecomputer mouse 172 can include a processor such as a microcontroller, ormicroprocessor that executes instructions stored in a memory to processthe actuation signal and the signal generated by the capacitive sensor.The processor can then transmit signals to the computer.

FIG. 2B depicts a second illustrative embodiment of the computer mouse172. In this embodiment, the computer mouse 172 utilizes a micro switch204 for each of the left and right mechanical buttons 203, and 204. Thetouch-sensitive interface 202, however, is subdivided in fourelectrically isolated capacitive sensing regions that can be mapped tofour sectors 222, 224, 226 and 228. As such, the left mechanical button203 can represent four mouse buttons depending on where the user placeshis/her finger when depressing the left mechanical button 203. Thegeneration of the same signals discussed above (actuation signal andcapacitive sensor signal) are applicable in this embodiment with theexception that the capacitive sensor signal can identify one of fourtouch-sensitive mouse buttons rather than one of three touch-sensitivemouse buttons illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C depicts a third illustrative embodiment of the computer mouse172. In this embodiment, the touch-sensitive interface 202 is subdividedinto three electrically isolated capacitive sensing regions that can bemapped to three sectors 232, 234 and 236. This embodiment provides yetanother configuration for mouse buttons that are sensed by fingerplacement and depression of the left mechanical button 203.

FIG. 2D depicts a fourth illustrative embodiment of the computer mouse172. In this embodiment there is only one capacitive sensing region 242.In this embodiment, a user can identify with user input at a GUI asshown in FIG. 1B virtual regions which can be mapped into mouse buttons.With drawings tools 207, a user can draw two or more virtual regions252, 254 to identify desirable mouse buttons. Since the capacitivesensing region 242 can provide a coordinate signal indicating where auser places his/her finger, it is possible for a user to identify by wayof the GUI of FIG. 1B any number of virtual regions that correspond totouch-sensitive mouse buttons. In one embodiment, the user can imaginewhere these regions are located and thereby selectively choose a mousebutton. With sufficient trial and error practice sessions, a user cangrow accustom to sensing where the virtual regions are located withoutvisual assistance. In another embodiment, a thin film illuminatingmaterial, such as a thin film light emitting diode (LED) array, can beoverlaid on the capacitive sensing region 242. The thin film LED arraycan in turn be controlled to illuminate portions or outlines of thevirtual regions to identify the mouse buttons constructed by the user inthe GUI of FIG. 1B. The thin film LED array can be controlled by aprocessor of the computer mouse 172 or the computer communicativelycoupled thereto over a wired or wireless interface with suitable controlcircuits.

It is noted that the above embodiments for FIGS. 2A-2D can be applied tothe right mechanical button 205. Accordingly, the computer mouse 172 canhave one or both mechanical buttons 203, 205 with touch-sensitive mousebuttons at a top surface with the same or different geometricconfigurations. It is further noted that other technologies for sensingtouch such as a resistive, surface acoustic wave, surface capacitance,projected capacitance, mutual capacitance, self-capacitance, infraredgrid, infrared acrylic projection, optical imaging, dispersive signaltechnology, acoustic pulse recognition, as well as next generationsensing technologies can be used in place of the foregoing embodimentsof the computer mouse 172 in FIGS. 2A through 2D.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a touch-sensitive display301 configured as the computer mouse 172. In this embodiment, a user canutilize the GUI of FIG. 1B to draw the shape of a mouse on thetouch-sensitive display 301, and identify sectors 302, 304, and 306 asmouse buttons. For touch-sensitive displays with feedback, thedepression of a finger in any of sectors 302, 304, or 306, which can bedetected by a size in a contact area between the finger and thetouch-sensitive display 301, can be responded to with a vibration, anaudible click, or some other form of feedback to indicate to the userthat a mouse depression has been detected. In this embodiment, thetouch-sensitive display 301 can be configured to present the outlines ofthe mouse to readily depict the position of the customized mousebuttons.

The above embodiments of the computer mouse 172 can also include lasertracking technology to track the movement of the mouse in atwo-dimensional plane. One or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/ormagnetometers can also be included in the computer mouse 172 to trackmovement in three dimensional space.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a device 400. Device 400can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of thecomputer mice 172 depicted in FIGS. 2A-2D, and 3. The device 400 cancomprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 402 (herein transceiver402), a user interface (UI) 404, a power supply 414, a motion sensor416, an actuation sensor 418, a touch sensor 420, and a controller 406for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 402 can supportshort-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth or WiFi,long-range wireless access technologies such as cellular, and/orwireline technologies such as USB cable technologies.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable or rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the device 400. Alternatively, the charging system canutilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physicalinterface such as a USB cable.

The motion sensor 416 can utilize motion sensing technology such as anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer or other suitable motionsensing technology to detect movement of the device 400 in two orthree-dimensional space. The actuation sensor 418 can utilize a microswitch such as illustrated in FIG. 2A for detecting depressions.Alternatively, a measure of surface area of a finger depressed on atouch-sensitive interface can be used to detect a depression. The touchsensor 420 can utilize capacitive sensing technology (with or withoutelectrically isolated regions) such as illustrated above for detectingwhere a user's finger is touching a surface of the device. A userinterface 422 can be added to the device 400 that can include a display(e.g., LCD or OLED display), an audio system for conveying audiblesounds, and a keypad interface for controlling functions of the device.

The controller 406 can utilize computing technologies such as amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or an applicationspecific integrated circuit with associated storage memory such asFlash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for storingand executing instructions therefrom.

FIGS. 5-7 depict methods 500-700 describing illustrative embodiments ofthe AMS application referred to in FIGS. 1A-1B. Method 500 can beginwith step 502 of FIG. 5A in which the AMS application is executed in acomputing device such as a desktop or laptop computer, a remote server,a gaming console or a portable communication device such as a cellularphone. The invocation step can result from a user selection of the AMSapplication from a menu or iconic symbol presented on a screen of thedevice by an operating system (OS) managing operations thereof. In step504, the AMS application can detect by way of drivers in the OS aplurality of operationally distinct accessories communicatively coupledto the computing device. The accessories can be coupled to the computingdevice by a tethered interface (e.g., USB cable), a wireless interface(e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi), or combinations thereof.

In the present context, an accessory can represent any type of devicewhich can be communicatively coupled to the computing device (or that isan integral part of the computing device) and which can control aspectsof the OS and/or a software application operating in the computingdevice. An accessory can represent for example a computer mouse, asmartphone, a keyboard, a touch screen display, a gaming pad, a gamingcontroller, a joystick, a microphone, or a headset with a microphonejust to mention a few.

In step 506, the AMS application presents a GUI 101 such as depicted inFIG. 1A. The GUI 101 presents accessories 110-114, 116, 172, 174 in ascrollable section 117. One or more of these accessories can be selectedby a user with a mouse pointer. In this illustration, the computer mouse172 and the gaming controller 174 were selected for customization. TheAMS application presents the computer mouse 172 and the gamingcontroller 174 in split windows 118, 120, respectively, to assist theuser during the customization process.

Prior to step 508, the AMS application can proceed to step 552 of FIG.5B. In this step, the AMS application can determine if the selectedaccessory is a configurable computer mouse such as the computer mouse172 of FIG. 2D or FIG. 3. In the present illustration, the computermouse 172 has the “contiguous” touch-sensitive interface 202 illustratedin FIG. 2D. The AMS application can detect that the touch sensitiveinterface 202 can be configured with virtual regions, which can bemapped into mouse buttons customized by user input. The AMS applicationcan make this determination based on identification information receivedfrom the computer mouse 172 such as a model number, serial number orother identifier supplied by a manufacturer of the computer mouse 172.

Once such a determination is made, the AMS application can proceed tostep 554 where it presents drawing tools 207 to a user. With the drawingtools, the user can draw virtual boundaries such as references 253 and255 to depict at step 556 virtual regions 252 and 254, respectively, asshown in FIG. 1B. Once the user has satisfactorily defined such regions,the user can select the accept button shown in the GUI of FIG. 1B, whichis detected at step 558, directing the AMS application to proceed tostep 560 to map the virtual regions 252 and 254 into mouse buttons,which it can store in a profile associated with the computer mouse 172.For the computer mice 172 of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the AMS applicationproceeds from step 552 back to step 508 since for these devices, thesectors representing touch-sensitive mouse buttons are pre-configured inthe computer mouse 172 by the manufacturer of the device. Accordingly,the AMS application does not present the user an option to performcustomization at steps 554-560.

Once the AMS application has performed the method of FIG. 5B forcustomizable accessories, the AMS application proceeds to step 508 ofFIG. 1A. In step 508, the AMS application can be programmed to detect auser-selection of a particular software application such as a videogame. This step can be the result of the user entering in a Quick Searchfield 160 the name of a gaming application (e.g., World of Warcraft™ orWoW). Upon identifying a gaming application, the AMS application canretrieve in step 510 from a remote or local database gaming applicationactions which can be presented in a scrollable section 139 of the GUIrepresented as “Actions” 130. The actions can be tactical actions 132,communication actions 134, menu actions 136, and movement actions 138which can be used to invoke and manage features of the gamingapplication.

The actions presented descriptively in section 130 of the GUI canrepresent a sequence of accessory input functions which a user canstimulate by button depressions, navigation or speech. For example,depressing the left mechanical button 203 at virtual region 252 of thecomputer mouse 172 can be configured to represent the tactical action“Reload”, while a simultaneous depressions of both mechanical buttons203, 205 can represent the tactical action “Melee Attack”. For ease ofuse, the “Actions” 130 section of the GUI is presented descriptivelyrather than by a description of the input function(s) of a particularaccessory.

Any one of the Actions 130 can be associated with one or more inputfunctions of the accessories being customized in windows 118 and 120 byway of a drag and drop action or other customization options. Forinstance, a user can select a “Melee Attack” by placing a mouse pointer133 over an iconic symbol associated with this action. Upon doing so,the symbol can be highlighted to indicate to the user that the icon isselectable. At this point, the user can select the icon by holding theleft mouse button and drag the symbol to any of the input functions(e.g., touch-sensitive mouse buttons) of the computer mouse 172 to makean association with an input function of one of these accessories.Actions of one accessory can also be associated with another accessorythat is of a different category or kind. For example, key depressions“Ctrl A” of a keyboard can be associated with one of the buttons of thecomputer mouse 174 (e.g., the virtual button 254).

Thus, when the left mechanical button 203 is depressed with a finger atvirtual button 254, the stimulus signal that is generated by thecomputer mouse 174 can be substituted by the AMS application with “CtrlA”. In another embodiment, the Melee Action can be associated with acombination of key button presses (e.g., simultaneous depression of theleft and right buttons 119, 121 of the gaming controller 174, or asequence of button depressions: two rapid left button depressionsfollowed by a right button depression).

In yet another embodiment, the Melee Action can be associated withmovement of the gaming controller 174 such as, for example, rapidmovement or shaking of the gaming controller 174. In a furtherembodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to make associations withtwo dimensional or three dimensional movements of the gaming controller174 (or the computer mouse 172) according to a gaming venue state. Forexample, suppose the player's avatar enters a fighter jet. In thisgaming venue state, moving the left navigation knob of the gamingcontroller 174 forward can be associated by the AMS application withcontrolling the throttle of the jet engines. Rapidly moving the gamingcontroller 174 downward can represent release of munitions such as abomb.

In a gaming venue state where the gamer's avatar has entered a building,lifting of the gaming controller 174 above a first displacementthreshold can be associated with a rapid movement of the avatar up onefloor. A second displacement threshold can be associated with a rapidmovement of the avatar down one floor—the opposite of the firstdisplacement threshold. Alternatively, the second displacement thresholdcould be associated with a different action such as jumping betweenbuildings when the avatar is on the roof of a building.

At step 512 the AMS application can also respond to a user selection ofa profile. A profile can be a device profile or master profile invokedby selecting GUI button 156 or 158, each of which can identify theassociation of gaming actions with input functions of one or moreaccessories. If a profile selection is detected in step 512, the AMSapplication can retrieve in step 514 macro(s) and/or prior associationsdefined by the profile. The actions and/or macros defined in the profilecan also be presented in step 516 by the AMS application in the actionscolumn 130 of the GUI 101 to modify existing profile associations orcreate new associations.

In step 518, the AMS application can also respond to a user selection tocreate a macro. A macro in the present context can mean any actionablecommand which can be recorded by the AMS application. An actionablecommand can represent a sequence of stimuli generated by manipulatinginput functions of an accessory, a combination of actions in the Actionsection 130, an identification of a software application to be initiatedby an operating system (OS), or any other recordable stimulus toinitiate, control or manipulate software applications. For instance, amacro can represent a user entering the identity of a softwareapplication (e.g., instant messaging tool) to be initiated by an OS uponthe AMS application detecting through speech recognition a speechcommand.

A macro can also represent recordable speech delivered by a microphonesingly or in combination with a headset for detection by anothersoftware application through speech recognition or for delivery of therecorded speech to other parties. In yet another embodiment a macro canrepresent recordable navigation of an accessory such as a joystick ofthe gaming controller 174, recordable selections of buttons of thecomputer mouse 172, and so on. Macros can also be combinations of theabove illustrations with selected actions from the Actions 130 menu.Macros can be created from the GUI 101 by selecting a “Record Macro”button 148. The macro can be given a name and category in user-definedfields 140 and 142.

Upon selecting the Record Macro button 148, a macro can be generated byselection of input functions on an accessory (e.g., Ctrl A, speech,navigation knob movements of the gaming controller 210, etc.) and/or bymanual entry in field 144 (e.g., typing the name and location of asoftware application to be initiated by an OS, such as an instantmessaging application, keyboard entries such as Ctrl A, etc.). Once themacro is created, it can be tested by selecting button 150 which canrepeat the sequence specified in field 144. The clone button 152 can beselected to replicate the macro sequence if desired. Fields 152 can alsopresent timing characteristics of the stimulation sequence in the macrowith the ability to modify and thereby customize the timing of one ormore stimulations in the stimulation sequence. Once the macro has beenfully defined, selection of button 154 records the macro in step 520.The recording step can be combined with a step for adding the macro tothe associable items Actions column 130, thereby providing the user themeans to associate the macro with input functions of the accessories(e.g., one or more touch-sensitive mouse buttons 252 or 254 of thecomputer mouse 172, buttons of the gaming controller 174, etc.).

In step 522, the AMS application can respond to drag and dropassociations of actions and input functions of the computer mouse 172.Associations can also be made based on the two or three dimensionalmovements of the computer mouse 172. If user input indicates that a useris performing an association, the AMS application can proceed to step524 where it can determine if a profile has been identified in step 512to record the association(s) detected. If a profile has been identified,the associations are recorded/stored in the profile in step 526. If aprofile has not been identified in step 512, the AMS application cancreate a profile in step 528 for recording the detected associations. Inthe same step, the user can name the newly created profile as desired.The newly created profile can also be associated with one or more gamingsoftware applications in step 530 for future reference. The AMSapplication can also record in a profile in step 526 associations basedon gaming venue states. In this embodiment the same stimuli generated bythe computer mouse 172 can result in different substitutions based onthe gaming venue state detected by the AMS application.

Once the associations have been recorded in a profile, the AMSapplication can determine in step 532 which of the accessories shownillustratively in FIGS. 1A-1B can store in memory profiles and therebyperform their own stimulus substitutions. If the AMS application detectsthat the accessories (e.g., computer mouse 172, gaming controller 174)are communicatively coupled to a computing device from which the AMSapplication is operating (e.g., gaming console) and can store profiles,the AMS application can proceed to step 534 of FIG. 5 where it submitsthe profile and its contents for storage in one of the accessories(e.g., a memory of the computer mouse 172). Once the computer mouse 172is programmed with the profile, the computer mouse 172 can on its ownperform stimuli substitutions according to the associations recorded bythe AMS application in the profile. Alternatively, the AMS applicationcan store the profile in the computing device and perform substitutionsof stimuli supplied by the computer mouse 172 according to associationsrecorded in the profile by the AMS application.

FIG. 6 depicts a method 600 for illustrating the operations of the AMSapplication during execution of a software application such as a videogame. The AMS application can be operating in whole or in part from thecomputer mouse 172, a gaming console, a desktop computer, or a remoteserver. For illustration purposes, it is assumed the AMS applicationoperates from a desktop computer.

In this illustration, the desktop computer orchestrates video and audioprocessing via a monitor and an audio system. The AMS applicationfacilitates communications in steps 602 and 604 between the desktopcomputer and the computer mouse 172. These steps can represent forexample a user starting the AMS application from the desktop computerand/or the user inserting at a USB port of the desktop computer aconnector of a USB cable tethered to the computer mouse 172, whichinvokes the AMS application. In step 606, the computer mouse 172 can inturn provide the AMS application an accessory ID. With the accessory ID(or with user input) the AMS application can identify in step 608 a useraccount associated with the computer mouse 172. In step 610, the AMSapplication can retrieve one or more profiles associated with the useraccount.

In step 612, the user can be presented by way of the monitor profilesavailable to the user to choose from for utilizing the computer mouse172. If the user makes a selection, the AMS application proceeds to step614 where it retrieves from the selected profiles the association(s)stored therein. If a selection is not made, the AMS application canproceed to step 616 where it can determine whether a video game isoperating from the desktop computer or whether the desktop computer iscommunicating with a remote server executing the video game. If a videogame is detected, the AMS application proceeds to step 617 where itretrieves a profile that matches the video game detected. As notedearlier, association(s) stored in the profile can represent accessorystimulations, navigation, speech, the invocation of other softwareapplications, macros or other suitable associations that result insubstitute stimulations. The accessory stimulations can be stimulationsthat are generated by the computer mouse 172, as well as stimulationsfrom other accessories (e.g., headset 114), or combinations thereof.

Once a profile and its contents have been retrieved in either of steps614 or step 617, the AMS application can proceed to step 719 of FIG. 7Awhere it monitors for a change in a gaming venue state based on thepresentations made by the gaming application, or by way of API messagessupplied by the video game. At the start of a game, for example, thegaming venue state can be determined immediately depending on the gamingoptions chosen by the gamer. The AMS application can determine thegaming venue state by tracking the gaming options chosen by a gamer,receiving an API instruction from the gaming application, or byperforming image processing on the video presentation generated by thegaming application.

The AMS application can monitor in step 720 stimulations generated bythe accessories coupled to the desktop computer. The stimulations can begenerated by the gamer by manipulating the computer mouse 172, and/or bygenerating speech commands detected by the headset 114. In the case ofthe computer mouse 172 of FIG. 2D, a stimulation can be generatedaccording to the method of FIG. 7B. For example, at step 762 thetouch-sensitive interface 202 can detect a user's finger touching theinterface in one of the virtual regions (e.g., virtual region 252). Oncedetected, the capacitive sensor can generate a coordinate signalindicating which virtual region has been selected at step 764. Once theuser depresses the left mechanical button 203, the micro switch 204detects the depression at step 766 and generates an actuation signal768.

If the computer mouse 172 is configured with a processor and memory withexecutable instructions, the processor can determine at step 770 if thecomputer mouse 172 has been configured by the AMS application with aprofile comprising substitute stimuli. If so, the processor can proceedto step 772 where it transmits substitute stimuli selected from theprofile in place of the coordinate and actuation signals. The processoralso transmits in this step mouse movement information. If the computermouse 172 has not be configured with to generate substitute stimuli, itproceeds to step 774 where it transmits a signal that includes or isdescriptive of the coordinate and actuation signals with mouse movementinformation. In either instance of step 772 or step 774, the AMSapplication operating from the desktop computer processes the stimuligenerated by the computer mouse 172 at step 720.

If a stimulation is detected at step 720, the AMS application candetermine in step 722 whether to forward the detected stimulation(s) toan Operating System (OS) of the desktop computer without substitutions.This determination can be made by comparing the detected stimulation(s)to association in the profile of the computer mouse 172 (if the computermouse 172 is not configured to make its own substitutions). If thedetected stimulation(s) match the associations, then the AMS applicationproceeds to step 740 where it retrieves substitute stimulation(s) in theprofile. In step 742, the AMS application can substitute the detectedstimulation(s) with the substitute stimulations in the profile. In oneembodiment, the AMS application can track in step 744 the substitutestimulations by updating these stimulations with a unique identifiersuch as a globally unique identifier (GUID). In this embodiment, the AMSapplication can also add a time stamp to each substitute stimulation totrack when the substitution was performed.

Once the stimulations received in step 720 have been substituted withother stimulations in step 742, the AMS application can proceed to step748 and submit the substitute stimulations to the OS of the gamingconsole 208. If, on the other hand, in step 722 the detectedstimulation(s) do not match an association in the profile, then the AMSapplication proceeds to one of steps 744 or 746 in order to track thestimulations of the accessory. Once the AMS application has performedthe necessary steps to track the stimulation as originally generated bythe accessory, the AMS application proceeds to step 748 where it submitsstimulations (with or without substitutions) to the OS of the desktopcomputer with or without tracking information.

In step 734, the OS determines whether to invoke in step 736 a softwareapplication identified in the stimulation(s) (e.g., gamer says “turn onteam chat”, which invokes a chat application), whether to forward thereceived stimulations to the gaming software application in step 738, orcombinations thereof. Contemporaneous to the embodiments describedabove, the AMS application can monitor in step 750 for game actionresults supplied by the video game via a defined API. The game actionresults can be messages sent by the video game by way of the API of thevideo game to inform the AMS application what has happened as a resultof the stimulations sent in step 738.

For instance, suppose the stimulation sent to the video game in step 738is a command to shoot a pistol. The video game can determine that theshot fired resulted in a miss of a target. The video game can respondwith a message which is submitted by way of the API to the AMSapplication that indicates the shot fired resulted in a miss. If IDssuch as GUIDs were sent with each stimulation, the video game can submitgame action results with their corresponding GUID to enable the AMSapplication to correlate the gaming action results with stimulationshaving the same GUID.

For example, if the command to shoot included the ID “1234”, then thegame action result indicating a miss will include the ID “1234”, whichthe AMS application can use in step 752 to identify the stimulationhaving the same ID. If on other hand, the order of game action resultscan be maintained consistent with the order of the stimulations, thenthe AMS application can correlate in step 754 stimulations with gameaction results by the order in which stimulation were submitted and theorder in which game action results were received. In step 756, the AMSapplication can catalogue stimulations and game action results. Inanother embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to catalogue thestimulations in step 760. In this embodiment, step 760 can be performedas an alternative to steps 750 through 756. In another embodiment, step760 can be performed in combination with steps 750 through 756 in orderto generate a catalogue of stimulations, and a catalogue for gamingaction results correlated to the stimulations.

From the foregoing descriptions, it would be evident to an artisan withordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below.

For instance, the touch-sensitive buttons of the computer mouse 172 canbe mapped to other accessories. For example, touch-sensitive mousebutton 232 of FIG. 2C can be remapped by the AMS application to theletter “f” of a keyboard accessory. Accordingly, each time thetouch-sensitive mouse button 232 is touched and depressed, the AMSapplication substitutes the signal generated by the computer mouse 172with the letter “f” according to the method of FIG. 7A. In anotherembodiment, the micro switch 204 of FIG. 2A can be removed so that auser no longer feels a tactile feedback of the switch, and consequently,an actuation signal would no longer be generated. Depression of thetouch-sensitive button 232 can be detected by the amount of surface areasensed by the capacitive sensor. For instance if a user presses his/herfinger on touch-sensitive button 232, the depression of the finger willcover a greater surface area and thus a depression can be determined.

A distinction can be made between a depression and a resting of a fingerby the shape sensed by the capacitive sensor. For example, thecapacitive sensor can sense a first surface area of the finger while thefinger is resting on the capacitive sensor. The moment the userdepresses the touch-sensitive mouse button 232, the surface areapreviously detected will expand. If the expansion occurs in the area oftouch-sensitive mouse button 232, then a depression of this button canbe said to have occurred. This approach can also be used to determinewhich touch-sensitive mouse button is being depressed when a user'sfinger is resting on more than one touch-sensitive mouse button.

In yet another embodiment, capacitive sensors can be placed on one orboth side panels of the computer mouse 172 (not shown). Use of the sidepanels can be based on a swipe of the capacitive sensor, a depressiondetected with actuation of a micro switch, or a depression detected by achange in surface area detected.

The embodiments touch-sensitive buttons described above can also beapplied to other accessories. For example, touch-sensitive buttons (withor without a micro switch) can be placed on a surface of a headset toactivate or control functions of the headset or indirectly activate orcontrol functions of other devices. For instance, a tap (or depressionof a micro switch is used) of a touch-sensitive button of the headsetcan activate a team chat session. Touch-sensitive buttons can also beplaced on one or more surfaces of a keyboard, a gaming controller, orother accessories that are used for controlling software applicationssuch as a video game. The function of a touch-sensitive button can bemapped by the AMS application as described above.

Other suitable embodiments can be applied to the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate as any of devices depicted in FIGS. 2-4. In some embodiments,the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines.In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, ora solid state display. The computer system 800 may include an inputdevice 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., amouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) are contemplatedfor use by computer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,are contemplated by the subject disclosure.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user input device, comprising: atouch-sensitive interface; a processing system including a processor;and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed bythe processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:receiving, from a computing device communicatively coupled to the userinput device, user input to identify a plurality of virtual regions ofthe touch-sensitive interface to define a plurality of buttons, whereinthe user input is received via an interface provided at the computingdevice; configuring the user input device according to the user inputreceived from the computing device; receiving a coordinate signal fromthe touch-sensitive interface; receiving an actuation signal from thetouch-sensitive interface indicating that the touch-sensitive interfacehas been depressed; determining a substitute stimuli based on thecoordinate signal, the actuation signal, and an indication of a softwareapplication; and providing the substitute stimuli to the softwareapplication.
 2. The user input device of claim 1, wherein the interfaceis a graphical user interface provided at the computing device, andwherein the graphical interface includes an illustration of thetouch-sensitive interface and the plurality of virtual regions.
 3. Theuser input device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprisedetermining the substitute stimuli based on the coordinate signal andthe actuation signal.
 4. The user input device of claim 1, wherein theindication of the software application is received via the interfaceprovided at the computing device.
 5. The user input device of claim 3,wherein the determining a substitute stimuli comprises: determining aselected button of the plurality of buttons that corresponds to thecoordinate signal when the actuation signal is received; and selectingthe substitute stimuli that corresponds to the selected button.
 6. Theuser input device of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive interfacecomprises an adjustable touch-sensitive interface.
 7. The user inputdevice of claim 1, wherein the interface provides a selection of aplurality of software applications.
 8. The user input device of claim 1,wherein the configuring the user input device comprises subdividing thetouch-sensitive interface into a plurality of sectors, responsive to theuser input identifying the plurality of virtual regions, and whereineach sector corresponds to a different button of the plurality ofbuttons.
 9. The user input device of claim 1, wherein each button of theplurality of buttons corresponds to a different substitute stimuli of aplurality of substitute stimuli.
 10. The user input device of claim 9,wherein the software application is selected from a plurality ofsoftware applications and wherein the plurality of substitute stimuli isdifferent for each of the plurality of software applications.
 11. Anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receivinguser input to identify a plurality of virtual regions of atouch-sensitive interface of a user input device to define a pluralityof buttons, wherein the user input is received via a graphical userinterface; receiving a coordinate signal from the touch-sensitiveinterface; receiving an actuation signal from touch-sensitive interfaceindicating that the touch-sensitive interface has been depressed;determining a substitute stimuli based on the coordinate signal, theactuation signal, and an indication of a software application; andproviding the substitute stimuli to the software application.
 12. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein thegraphical user interface provides an illustration of the touch-sensitiveinterface and the plurality of virtual regions.
 13. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the touch-sensitiveinterface comprises an adjustable touch-sensitive interface.
 14. Amethod, comprising: configuring, by a processing system including aprocessor, a user input device according to a user input defining aplurality of virtual regions; receiving, by the processing system, acoordinate signal from a touch-sensitive interface; receiving, by theprocessing system, an actuation signal from the touch-sensitiveinterface indicating that the touch-sensitive interface has beenactuated; determining, by the processing system, a substitute stimulifor association with the coordinate signal, the actuation signal, and anindication of a software application; and providing, by the processingsystem, the substitute stimuli to the software application responsive tothe receiving the coordinate signal and the receiving the actuationsignal.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the configuring comprisessubdividing the touch-sensitive interface into a plurality of sectors,responsive to the user input defining the plurality of virtual regions.16. The method of claim 15, wherein each sector corresponds to adifferent button of a plurality of buttons, and wherein each button ofthe plurality of buttons corresponds to a different substitute stimuliof a plurality of substitute stimuli.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the plurality of substitute stimuli is associated with thesoftware application, wherein the software application is selected froma plurality of software applications.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the plurality of substitute stimuli is different for each of theplurality of software applications.
 19. The method of claim 14, whereinthe touch-sensitive interface comprises an adjustable touch-sensitiveinterface.